Consolidation of Power

Henry Tudor was proclaimed King of England by Lord Stanley on Bosworth field

Henry VII dated his reign to August 21st, a day before the Battle of Bosworth

This was so any men who fought for Richard III could be declared traitors

The punishment for traitors under Henry VII was an Act of Attainder

(NOTE: Acts of Attainder = took land and titles away from the noble and his heirs were disinherited)

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Consolidation of Power

March to London

Henry Tudor marched to London, arriving on the 3rd of September 1485

The march was not rushed and allowed time to plan and meet Tudor's subjects

He was met by crowds who demonstrated goodwill towards their new king

On arrival, Henry Tudor presented three flags in the same way Edward IV had after the battle of Barnet

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Consolidation of Power

Government and Counsel

Henry VII favoured those who had supported him in exile

Able clerics were also relied upon

Yorkists were also included in the counsel and government although not in majority

Many of the King's first decisions were made with close friends and family however
- Margaret Beaufort (Mother)
- Jasper Tudor (Uncle)
- Lord Stanley (Stepfather)
- Earl of Oxford (Exiled with)
- John de Vere

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Consolidation of Power

Patronage

Henry VII was wary of his right to distribute patronage

There was no siblings to be obliged to recognise through patronage though

Through out Henry VII's reign, he gave very little land and titles away

This meant that the crown held more power

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Consolidation of Power

Royal Household

Most senior positions in the royal house hold were given to those who had shared Henry VII's exile

However, Sir William Stanley became Lord Chamberlain

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Consolidation of Power

The Coronation

Designed to impress and confirm Tudor's god-given right to rule

The King was conscious of the need to appear regal

However, account details from the time show that he shopped around for the best deals on things!

Henry VII had a very precise routine for his coronation
- Dine with the Arch Bishop of Canterbury
- Travelled by procession to the Tower of London
- Granted titles for loyal servants (Jasper Tudor with Duke)
- Dined with the newly titled loyal servants
- Began a great procession to Westminster Hall
- Sat the coronation
- Showed himself to his people
- Returned to the Tower of London for a great banquet

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Consolidation of Power

The first parliament

Henry issued writs to call parliament

They met on November the 7th 1485

They dealt with these issues
- Recognising Henry Tudor as King
- Reversing Acts of Attainder from Richard III's reign
- Passing Acts of Attainder against those who fought for Richard III at Bosworth
- Passing tunnage and pundage to raise revenue from imported goods
- Passing an Act of Resumption to reclaim lands that were owned by Henry VI before being lost during the Wars of the Roses
- Dismissed Richard III's act that declared Edward IV's children illegitimate
- Introduced legislation that maintained public peace and enforcement of the law

(NOTE: Issused Writs = called the commons an lords to parliament. It was not permanent)

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Consolidation of Power

Marriage to Elizabeth of York

18th January 1485

United the two houses of York and Lancaster

Promised legitimate heirs to the Tudor dynasty

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth was delayed due to the threat of pretenders

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Consolidation of Power

Propaganda

The Tudor rose was a combination of the Lancastrian and Yorkist roses

It served as a reminder that the Tudor dynasty promised peace

Henry VII named his first son Arthur after the Arthurian legend, which associated the Tudors with King Arthur the protector of the British

Linking with both Lancastrian and Yorkists began securing a peaceful dynasty